Preplant Herbicide Programs for the Control of Multiple-Herbicide-Resistant Waterhemp in No-Till Corn

Abstract

Multiple-herbicide-resistant (MHR) waterhemp has been confirmed in 18 Ontario counties. A total of four experiments were conducted in commercial fields with MHR waterhemp in 2020 and 2021 to evaluate preplant (PP) herbicide tank mixtures for control of MHR waterhemp in no-till corn. There was minimal visible corn injury from the herbicide treatments evaluated. At 2 WAA, all herbicide tank mixtures provided greater than 90% control of MHR waterhemp except for pyroxasulfone/carfentrazone + atrazine which controlled MHR waterhemp 85%. At 12 WAA, S-metolachlor/mesotrione/atrazine, S-metolachlor/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone/atrazine, and diflufenican + atrazine + flufenacet controlled MHR waterhemp 86, 91, and 98%, respectively; all other herbicide tank mixtures provided 65 to 83% control. At 8 WAA, S-metolachlor/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone/atrazine and diflufenican + atrazine + flufenacet reduced MHR waterhemp density 97 and 100%, respectively similar to the weed-free control; all other herbicide tank mixtures reduced MHR waterhemp density 64 to 96%. At 8 WAA, S-saflufenacil/dimethenamid-P + mesotrione, S-metolachlor/mesotrione/atrazine, tembotrione + dicamba + flufenacet, metolachlor/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone/atrazine, and diflufenican + atrazine + flufenacet reduced MHR waterhemp biomass 96, 97, 98, 98, and 100%, respectively; all other herbicide tank mixtures reduced MHR waterhemp biomass 72 to 93%. MHR waterhemp interference reduced corn yield 80% in this study. All herbicide tank mixtures resulted in corn yield that was similar to the weed-free control. Among the herbicide tank mixtures evaluated S-metolachlor/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone/atrazine and diflufenican + atrazine + flufenacet provided the greatest control of MHR waterhemp in no-till corn.